Summer Bucket List

I can't believe that it has taken me this long to get our summer post done!  Life has been beyond busy lately!

We compiled our summer bucket list while sitting at Johnny's one day after church.  Each of us contributed as the anticipation of care-free summer days approached.  The first item out of both boys' mouths was...

1. Pool!
Logan was an expert swimmer this year!  He learned to swim on top of the water, swim in the deep end, and even swim across the pool!  Easton loved it as well.  We often heard a loud "cannonbaw!" seconds before he splashed into the water without a care or worry if someone was there to catch him!

2. Sprinkler

This was one of the first events we tackled!  We have the world's greatest neighbors!  I love watching these kids make memories together!

3. T-Bones

Easton begged for this one from the very creation of the list!  Unfortunately he would have to wait until the 4th of July!  Every year one of our good friends puts on a birthday event at the T-Bones game.  We tailgate, watch the game in a suite, and enjoy the fireworks!  Another bonus is that we get to spend time with Uncle Jamie and Grace!

4. Royals
Another one of Easton's requests!  This time we spent time with the Mortenson family!  The little dudes even picked up one of the Royals' ladies!!

5. Schlitterbaun
We were fortunate enough to visit this water park twice this summer!  The boys loved it!  Logan overcame his fears from last year and begged to do the waterslides again!  Easton was even able to ride the big slides!

6. Chicago
I was very fortunate to do this trip twice!  First I went with my hubby and got to spend time catching up with friends!  My sister's airline even hooked us up with first class seats on the way there!

Then, right before school started, my mom suggested that we take the boys to visit with some family.  It was wonderful being able to spend time with my sister and her family and see their new home.  We also enjoyed time with my Aunt Cindy and her family, my Aunt Tracy and her crew, my grandparents, and my brother Anthony and his family.  Both trip were an amazing way to recharge my batteries.

7. Sporting KC

For those of you who know me well know that sports are not normally my thing.  However, I love going to Sporting games!  There is lots of action, my boys love it, and, not to mention, very attractive players!!

8. Kansas City Farmer's Market

This was the very last item to be checked off of our list.  We actually did it the weekend after school started.  It was a wonderful morning with my dudes!  We were able to catch up with the Skillman family as well.

9. Topeka Zoo

This is one of our favorite places to go when we visit B.  This time did not disappoint!  My kids will have many wonderful memories of the zoo.  They rode the train and played at the park.  Logan even dominated the monkey bars for the first time!

10.  Chuck-E-Cheese

I am pretty sure Grandma B. crossed this one off of the list for us!  Thanks for taking one for the team!

11.  Prairie Fire Museum

This is a new addition to Kansas City.  It is a museum of natural history.  The boys loved seeing the big dinosaur and exploring in the hands on exhibit.  Logan was not a fan of the glass bridge we had to cross to get to the Exploration Room however!

12. Deanna Rose Farmstead

We were here several times this summer!  One of the times we went was for my mom's company picnic.  Such a great way to spend a few hours!

13. Black Hoof Park

No photos taken but it was a great day!  The boys and I headed to this three level park and enjoyed the day.  The boys favorite part was walking in the little stream.  

14. Splash Park

We saved this one for the very end of summer.  Daddy was back at work so he wasn't able to join us.  We did meet up with our favorite Miss Tracy and some of our awesome neighbors.  The kids enjoyed picnicking and splashing with friends!

 15. Carnival

We spent a great day in Topeka with Grandma B. and then went to the Fiesta.  We had a lot of fun eating authentic Mexican food (the boys ate hot dogs of course!).  Then it was off to ride rides and play games!  Easton loved the big ferris wheel but brother L was not as big of a fan!  Logan prefers rides closer to the ground!

 The boys and I also had a mini golf date that I thought I would share.  Logan did really well and Easton had a blast being a big boy!

It was a great summer spent making memories!  I am so fortunate to have a job that allows me to spend time with these incredible dudes I have been blessed with!  

A memory

I have so much to update about, summer fun and first days of school but tonight I have something I want to remember.

I have spent endless hours preparing my classroom, meeting new faces, teaching all day, planning all night and today, I spent ALL day with my babies.  It was great!  They woke up WAY too early for a Saturday but we made the best of it by snuggling on the couch with books and a movie (and coffee!).  We played magnatiles and laughed as Easton Godzillaed my creations.  We watched daddy get soaked in a dunk tank and the boys rode rides together at a carnival.  We went to Topeka to hang with B, play toys, watch movies, eat pizza, and played outside.

As I drove my pajamaed dudes home I listened as Easton searched for his moon and when he finally found it, he requested that I get it for him.  Logan argued that he couldn't get the moon until he passed away and went to Heaven.  Easton was not buying it and continued his requests.  I told him he should try closing his eyes and maybe he would catch it in his dreams.

Thirty minutes outside of home they finally dozed off.  I pulled into our driveway, carefully removed the keys and tried to be as quiet as possible to open my door.  I decided to get the big man out first, he was HUGE and very heavy!  I tried to think back to the last time I actually carried him in my arms and was reminded of all of the times when he was little and we would dance around the kitchen to "Big Green Tractor."  I slowly carried that 60 lb. boy into his room in our quiet, dark house and held him a bit longer, unsure of the next time I would carry him and if at that time I would be able to.  I sat on the edge of his bed with him in my arms well aware that I was being like the creepy mommy in I'll Love You Forever but I just couldn't help it.  In my arms I held my son who started off so frail, who I wanted more than anything, who was 3 years old the last time I can remember him sleeping on me, and I just couldn't put him down.  I held him a couple minutes longer and thanked God for this amazing blessing that motherhood is.  I whispered to him that I loved him and he whispered it back.  In just 11 short days he will be six, how did this happen.

I slipped out of his room and back to the garage to get sleepy dude number two.  I stared at that little toe head with his pouty lips and remembered the first moment I saw him and how his lips looked just the same.  I scooped him up, a much easier feat than with #1, and gave him a snuggle and kiss.  I cherished his little body in my arms and the ease of lifting him in his crib because I was reminded that all too soon he will be a big boy just like his brother.

These dudes try my patience every chance they get but they fill my heart with a joy that I never knew until they entered my world.  Tonight I was talking with another couple about our struggles to have children and how difficult their births were.  I can feel the longing to be a mother like it was yesterday.  I am incredibly blessed to have these babies in my life and I know that they were chosen just for us.  I just wanted to put this down so I can remember it always.